Contemplating Reformed Theology

[Sojourner1]

I have been a Dispensationalist my entire life. I was saved when I was six years old and was raised to believe in dispensationalism. I have always believed in the rapture and the subsequent seven year tribulation. I have always considered myself to be a 4 point calvinist...I just could never fully accept limited atonement.

The problem is that I have these nagging thoughts that covenant theology just makes more sense. This is actually pretty upsetting to me because I don't understand why I would believe something with so much conviction only to change and believe something else. That makes no sense to me. I also am concerned because I'm pretty sure the covenant theology has a different interpretation on end time events and I've been convinced for years that the rapture is true.

I am currently reading RC Sproul's book called "What is Reformed Theology?" as I read his book "The Holiness of God" many years ago and it is one of my favorite books. I am looking for advice on what books or articles I should read about covenant theology and end time events. My entire family believes in dispensationalism so it feels really odd to me to even be considering this new line of thinking.

 

[JM]

If we/I can be of assistance or if you have questions just as away.

 

[Sojourner1]

I'm most interested in books or articles that explain what reformed theology believes about end time events.

 

[JM]

I recently blogged a summary of Dr. Packer's work on historic theology. The first post went up today and its focus is on Reformed Evangelicalism.

Feileadh Mor

 

[GreatExpectations]

Check out the sermons on Revelation, they'll blow you away.

Spirit Empowered Preaching

 

[twin1954]

You will find some in the Reformed camp to be historic premil but most today are amill. There are still some Post-mil aswell. It might also be worth your while to check out those who hold to a covenant theology but are not Reformed. I am among that group as was John Gill and others. Typically Reformed Covenant theology is Presbyterian and a group of dunking Presbyterians who call themselves Reformed Baptists.

 

[Sojourner1]

You will find some in the Reformed camp to be historic premil but most today are amill. There are still some Post-mil aswell. It might also be worth your while to check out those who hold to a covenant theology but are not Reformed. I am among that group as was John Gill and others. Typically Reformed Covenant theology is Presbyterian and a group of dunking Presbyterians who call themselves Reformed Baptists.

I didn't know that thank you for your response. I will look into John Gill and see what he has to say.

 

[Sojourner1]

Check out the sermons on Revelation, they'll blow you away.

Spirit Empowered Preaching

Thank you. Do you have any suggestions for reading material as well?

 

[JM]

Read Gill. Read Gill slowly. Read Gill deeply. Read Gill and think about what he is saying.

I think Gill was in fact Reformed, same with Pink and both theologians divide Law and Gospel perfectly.

Divine Covenants by A.W. Pink-Contents

 

[Sojourner1]

Read Gill. Read Gill slowly. Read Gill deeply. Read Gill and think about what he is saying.

I think Gill was in fact Reformed, same with Pink and both theologians divide Law and Gospel perfectly.

Divine Covenants by A.W. Pink-Contents

That is a great link...there is so much information there! Thanks

 

[Elderone]

After going through A.W. Pink and John Gill this John Calvin site is chock-a-block full of good reading.

 

[AndOne]

Thank you. Do you have any suggestions for reading material as well?

I highly recommend you take a look at www.monergism.com - it has tons of free articles, free e-books, reformed confessions of faith, etc. Pretty much anything you want to know about it is there.

 

[twin1954]

After going through A.W. Pink and John Gill this John Calvin site is chock-a-block full of good reading.

Added it to my favorites.

 

[twin1954]

One thing Reformed folks do is write a Lot!

 

[Sojourner1]

One thing Reformed folks do is write a Lot!

I have noticed that...so much reading to do

 

[Sojourner1]

I highly recommend you take a look at www.monergism.com - it has tons of free articles, free e-books, reformed confessions of faith, etc. Pretty much anything you want to know about it is there.

Thank you for another great site

 

[Elderone]

So much reading so little time.........

 

[Osage Bluestem]

I suggest starting with the Westminster Confession of Faith and smaller catechism with scripture proofs.

 

[GrinningDwarf]

Congratulations on your journey, Sojourner1! A lot of us have made that trip. In fact, I've been asked about basic books quite a bit, and came up with my Basic Reformed Annotated Reading List. These are all modern volumes, in modern English, written for laypeople:

Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Who Does What in Salvation? By Michael Horton; 1991; Baker Books: This is a good entry-level layman’s introduction to Reformed theology. Horton’s book is very ‘reader friendly’. Horton examines such basic Reformed positions as the 5-points of Calvinism, the effect of the fall upon man, and free will. Horton also explains the Reformed views of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. One drawback is that Horton does not really examine covenant theology in this book.


What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics by RC Sproul; 1997; Baker Books: This book, as indicated by the title, covers the basics of Reformed theology. Sproul’s book is a little more technical than Horton’s book, in that Sproul sprinkles Latin theological terms throughout; however, he always explains them and includes a glossary of foreign terms at the back of the book. This is a solid book that sketches covenant theology and the 5-points of Calvinism.


The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken; 2002; Crossway Books: A very reader friendly presentation of the 5-points of Calvinism. The opening chapter is titled ‘Why Evangelicalism Needs Calvinism’, and the final two chapters are titled ‘The True Calvinist’ and ‘Calvinism at Work’. I believe that Boice makes a compelling case for the relevance of Calvinism to modern Christianity. If someone were to choose one book on Reformed theology, this would be a good one.


Chosen by God by RC Sproul; 1986; Tyndale: This book deals specifically with the Reformed views of predestination, free will, and foreknowledge, and how they operate in our salvation. This was the book that convinced me that Reformed theology actually handles the scriptures more accurately than any other viewpoint I have encountered in Christianity.

Willing to Believe: The Controversy Over Free Will by RC Sproul; 1997; Baker Books: A detailed look at the views of free will over the centuries of Christianity. Sproul covers the views of Pelagius, Augustine, Semi-Pelagians, Martin Luther, John Calvin, James Arminius, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, and Lewis Sperry Chafer. If you are a Christian, you will find your position on free will described in this book, and compared to all of the other views.

God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton; 2006; Baker Books: This book is an excellent primer on covenant theology. What is covenant theology? It is an opposing view to the omnipresent dispensational view. Dispensationalism breaks human history down into seven different time periods in which God worked using different methods with different peoples, and is largely responsible for the prevalent end-times view of premillenial, pre-tribulation rapture. Covenant theology interprets scripture to say that God basically only works in two ways…the covenant of works and the covenant of grace.


Debating Calvinism: Five points, Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White; 2004; Multnomah Publishers: From the back cover: “Calvinism has been a topic of intense discussion for centuries. In this lively debate, two passionate thinkers take opposing sides, providing valuable responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.” Hunt actually verbalizes many of the objections raised by those reading the above books. It is useful to read White’s responses to those objections.

And, since you asked specifically about End Times materials, Dr. Kim Riddlebarger has two excellent introductory books on amillenialism, The Case for Amillenialism and Man of Sin.

 

[kenrapoza]

If you're looking specifically into Covenant Theology, both in its wider context and the eschatological implications, I would suggest these two books:

God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton
Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored